Suzuki M20 Manji 10-Hole Harmonica

Great beginner harmonica. Playable out of the box, and the composite materials means it's more resistant to water damage than a standard wood comb My Background: I played trombone in high school so I have a decent ear for pitch. I also grew up in the South so I'm used to the sound of a good harmonica. Why the Suzuki rocks and wails: Modern composite construction means the comb will never swell due to humidity or cleaning. The plates are screwed on rather than nailed down, meaning you can easily service the harmonica. Open ("trumpet bell") construction means the Suzuki is easier to play loud. That open construction and composite material also means the Suzuki tends to sound cleaner than other harmonicas, which may or may not be the sound you want to go for. Personally, I love the Suzuki's sound and I know I'll be able to get most of the bluesy grit that I want once I learn better techniques rather than leaning on the harmonica's construction. Comes with a felt-lined case which doesn't fit the harmonica perfectly, but is fine for tossing in your pocket and taking it on the go. The cloth also helps absorb any excess moisture while it protect the harmonica's finish, so I'm sure this thing will play like new for a long time. Versus the Hohner Marine Band: There are a million competitors, but I think most people really only need to look at modern harmonicas like the Suzuki versus the Marine Band. The Marine Band hasn't changed much in the last century for a reason. Inexpensive with a wood comb, this harmonica is so cheap that if a beginner leaves it to rust they can just buy another one. Often requires a little tuning out of the box, doesn't produce nearly as much sound as the Suzuki thanks to a more closed construction, and is nailed down so it is not easy for a beginner to service. Still a great option for people who want that classic sound, but I think most people prefer the Suzuki due to all its modern advancements. Hohner also makes modern updates of the Marine Band if you'd rather stick with them. My only reservations: My Suzuki felt a little off out of the box. In particular, the very low and very high notes were hard to sound at low volume. Since I'm just practicing and not trying to blow away a concert hall this is more of an issue for me than it might be for others. A professional player might also know how to adjust around this, but I as a beginner had to open up the harmonica and bend the reed plates a little to make the harmonica play a little more easily. Ten minutes watching instructional videos online and I was on my way. Overall: With a light tuning to make the harmonica more playable at low volume, my Suzuki is just wonderful. The sound is amazing and accurately tuned. Every time I get confident in an improvement in my abilities I can really turn the sound up to 11 thanks to the open construction and belt out some music as a reward for my training. Highly recommended. Not only am I having a blast playing the Suzuki, but maintenance seems like it will be rare and easy. Totally happy with this purchase.

I have tried at least 14 different harmonicas this past year and a half. There have been very few I liked. Among the harmonicas I do not recommend: by Hohner: Blues Harp (painful to play) and Big River (not airtight compared to most harps I tried), by Lee Oskar: Major Diatonic Harmonica (weak tone, and the top cover plate is uncomfortable on my top lip because of the deep Lee Oskar engraving), by Bushman, the Delta Frost (three reeds blew out within a few months, and I was not playing harshly. I tend to go pretty easy on my harps). by Suzuki, the Bluesmaster (arrived quite dusty.. gross, and I found its width to be uncomfortable), and by Fender, the Blues DeVille (excellent tone, but sharp reed plates and cover plates, also the matte finish on this harp is uncomfortable). I tried the Hohner Crossover, and thought it was good, but not worth the price. As far as I know, the Crossover contains the same brass reeds as cheaper Hohners. Also, the Crossover doesn't feel as good in my hand as the Manji. The build quality of the Manji is better too. The reeds are phosphor bronze, not brass. Also, the reeds have been attached using a different method than most harmonica manufacturers use. If you must have the Hohner tone, go for a Crossover. The Manji tone is a bit more pure and less dirty. I like the Manji's tone just fine, and far prefer this harp to the Crossover. It is more comfortable to hold, is built very well (quite similar to modded Hohners), sounds great, and is cheaper than the Crossover.

I usually use Hohner harps. In particular the Big River and Special 20 and sometime the Marine band. The Manji is really solid, and feels and looks more like the Marine band. My Manji is brand new, and not sure if that's the reason, but it requires a more aggressive attack to get it to perform. Not that that is bad. I like it. I actually think the Special 20 is too soft and loose, and can get away from you. The Manji feels like a precise and solid harp. Has a nice weight, and worth having. You can tell it's inspired by the classic Hohner Marine Band. Very similar in size and design. But like I said it is VERY different sounding than the Hohner. Try it though. It's great.

After mulling over the merits of the Hohner Marine Band Crossover, Deluxe and Classic (not Progressive) Special 20 options (as well as the Seydel 1847 and the Lee Oskar), I selected this beautiful Suzuki Manji diatonic-10 in C. I realize that this harmonica tends to be a little less forgiving as far as a learning curve for beginners than some of the others mentioned, but, that's exactly what I wanted. An instrument that would demand techniques are applied correctly right off the bat. If you can get those down, you can play on just about anything later on. The construction, air-tightness, tone and materials for longevity exceeded my expectations and promises to be an instrument I will play and enjoy for a long time to come. This is not an inexpensive child's toy. It's an item that will demand some basic care on the player's part to keep it in tip-top condition, but offers the serious aficionado an ability for customization down the road, if desired. If you want a quality product you can be serious about -- that does what it's supposed to and sounds the way it should -- and ISN'T just a temporary item to goof around with -- spend a little cash and start off right. You won't lose interest or give up on it altogether! Although any of the models I mentioned above certainly fit the "quality" category, the Suzuki Manji, for me, topped those options. JLD - 4/15/2020

I absolutely love the rich tone and ease of playing of this harmonica. My earlier harps were from a venerable German manufacturer; great tone and feel, but not as smooth and easy out of the box as this Manji was. In fact I bought this A-harp to replace an A-harp from that other maunufacturer that seemed totally impossible to break in fully, over six months!. A friend has the same model and it was rich, smooth and easy from the start, indeed her favourite harp. So maybe mine was an aberation. Suzukis, though, have won my heart - I just bought a Suzuki Promaster and it's incredible! But one more comment on this Manji-A. The Canadian price was good for the fine quality. The harmonica shipped from Japan and took the minimum time expected. It was very carefully packaged, and securely wrapped. I say wrapped because it was like a Japanese gift with a personal note inside, Japanese hospitality at its finest. Thank you Senna of Sasuke Japan!

Great wee harmonica.

Cet harmonica est un des meilleurs dans sa catégorie. Il allie puissance et sonorité. Il est plus neutre qu'un Marine Band dont il est le concurrent. Personnellement je le préfère.

All the harps are nice ....responsive reeds....bendable...air tight....feels great to play....the positioning of the cover plates makes it very comfortable for playing...

Good product ...